If you build it, they will come. That’s what they often say. But, that is never truly the case, especially when selling online.
It’s like the chicken and egg dilemma – what came first. Because you need a chicken to lay eggs, and chickens come from eggs. Do you build a business online and hope for the best, or do you go out there and find those ideal clients for your business before expending money to build out an online presence?
As a new small business owner or a manager, it is your duty to ensure that your company can succeed online and has all the tools, resources and knowledge to do so. But, what’s the process? How do you prevent an egg-chicken dilemma and make that business you are managing profitable?
For me, the answer is in the process and tools at your disposal.
How to start selling online
Once you have established your business model and product/service idea, it’s about using the resources and tools available to make it easy for you to sell online.
So, let’s start with the basics …
- A way to showcase your business
- A method to communicate with your potential customers
- An easy way to get paid
That’s the essence of starting your online business in a nutshell – and also the method to scale your business for rapid growth if you have already started.
- Get your website up and running
To ensure a successful path online, you need a website that can work for your business. Let’s take for example a Sales Force website. This comes with essential business growth capabilities such as:
- online sales platform – set up an ecommerce business where you can efficiently manage inventory
- automated communication – stay in contact with your clients
- lead generation software – convert visitors into buying customers
With the power of a website, you can put all the processes in place from the start to make it more likely that you will succeed.
- Set up your communication channels
Email, SMS, and social media are effective communication channels on the island. Communication is an essential part of your business process if you want to scale and grow up to 200%. So, put in place systems to communicate with your existing and potential customers.
- Find an easy way to get paid
Building an online business where you can get paid easily used to be an issue – even just a few years ago. But, the market has changed and there are tools to help your customers pay you however it is convenient to them, and for you to get paid faster.
Is selling online really that complicated?
Too often I see persons make getting started complicated. They find all the excuses not to begin, and they start to get bogged down by all the details. Some relevant, some not so much.
I like to consider myself a go-getter. So, when I think of a business idea, and I assess that it is feasible, I quickly work to make it possible. I don’t let the doubts and the never-ending cycle of questions and research derail my momentum. And when I need help or guidance, I seek it from persons who have succeeded or have more knowledge in the area than I do.
Building an online business is not a chicken and egg situation. It is more a streamlined process that can take you from zero to hero quick. Once you follow these tried and proven processes, you can leverage the power of the internet to scale your business, increase profits, and build a company you can be proud of.